Making a DIFFERENCE.
I have been truly blessed in my life and it is my heart's desire to give back. It brings me such joy! I truly believe if everyone gives something, by the grace of God, we can and WILL make a change! Anyone can make a difference - no matter how small or how great - it is a difference and THAT is what matters. My motto is: "Everything is something and something joins together to make everything." I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had to team up with wonderful organizations and see change happen! Below are some of the efforts that I've been blessed to be a part of.
Volunteer. Charity. Non-for-Profit.
Oasis for Orphans - Team Oasis 2017 Chicago Marathon | oasisfororphans.org
- Team Oasis Marathon Runner & Fundraiser- Oasis for Orphans utilizes a unique model to develop kids in a holistic way. The program gives children hope and molds them into leaders in their communities and for the Kingdom. Focusing on the 110,000 orphans in six counties in rural southwest Kenya, the holistic program centers around the physical, spiritual, educational, and social development of the children. I feel so honored and humbled to have dedicated my second completed full marathon in October of 2017 to this wonderful ministry and these beautiful children. To God be the glory, honor, and praise! Thank You, Jesus!
- Team Oasis Marathon Runner & Fundraiser- Oasis for Orphans utilizes a unique model to develop kids in a holistic way. The program gives children hope and molds them into leaders in their communities and for the Kingdom. Focusing on the 110,000 orphans in six counties in rural southwest Kenya, the holistic program centers around the physical, spiritual, educational, and social development of the children. I feel so honored and humbled to have dedicated my second completed full marathon in October of 2017 to this wonderful ministry and these beautiful children. To God be the glory, honor, and praise! Thank You, Jesus!
World Vision - Team World Vision 2015 Chicago Marathon | worldvision.org
- Team World Vision Marathon Runner & Fundraiser
- World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision believes in a full solution to poverty and injustice. They provide emergency assistance to children and families affected by disasters and conflict, partner with communities for long-term solutions to alleviate poverty, and advocate for justice on behalf of the poor. Motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, they serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. I have been humbled and honored to have been given the opportunity to dedicate my first completed FULL MARATHON run and fundraising efforts to this wonderful cause and organization! I completed my first full 26.2 mile marathon in October of 2015.
Flashes of Hope - Chicago Branch | flashesofhope.org
- Special Events Volunteer
- Flashes of Hope is a non-profit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and raises money for pediatric cancer research. For a few moments, it doesn't seem like a hospital, and children who haven't wanted to get out of bed are suddenly laughing and smiling, and nurses are taking a break from administering medicine to join in the fun. I volunteer at various photo shoot events around the Chicago-land area to help make a difference and see the rewarding smiles on precious children's faces, and to encourage their families and be a part of giving them a gift that goes far beyond just a photograph to hang on their wall, but a memory that will live on in their hearts forever. Another facet of my volunteer efforts alongside Flashes of Hope is to join in various fun and creative events where ALL proceeds go towards this fabulous cause! This organization and their mission has impacted and changed my life in ways words cannot describe. I am humbled and so honored to team up with this mission and organization!
Feed My Starving Children | fmsc.org
- Meal Volunteer
- Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and then those meals are shipped to distribution partners all over the world. Feed my Starving Children meals have reached nearly 70 countries around the world. It is an absolute joy to dig my hands into packing these nutrient-packed meals for children and families. It is altogether wonderful and humbling! I love this organization and I am so happy to be a part of it!
Ronald McDonald House Charities | RMHC.org
- RMHC Hyde Park House Volunteer
- The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. RMHC believes that when you change a child’s life, you change the whole family which can change a community, and ultimately the world. This charity strives to be part of that change and part of the solution of improving the lives of children and their families by providing programs that strengthen families during their most difficult or challenging times. I have teamed up alongside RMHC with various teams to make meals and bring smiles and cheer to many children and their families. It has been such a blessing!
Dress for Success | dressforsuccess.org
- Career Event Volunteer
- Dress for Success is an international non-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. I volunteer to create and coordinate career events with a driven goal to educate and empower the women involved in this wonderful organization, from resume building techniques, character enhancement sessions, all the way to wardrobe building assistance, and interview success tools. It is a most rewarding experience and I am proud to be a part of the knowledge-sharing and confidence-building that takes place each and every day in this circle of women empowering women!
Caris | caris.org
- Special Events Volunteer & Coordinator
- Caris is a Christian-based non-profit counseling organization, serving any woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, offering open and non-judgmental support, regardless of her faith background or what decision she makes about her pregnancy, whether parenting or adoption. I volunteer to help coordinate and execute special events such as Baby Showers, Care Groups, and Benefit Events that happen throughout the year! Being involved with this organization and helping to make a difference in the lives of the girls and women that cross our path is so rewarding and fulfilling and touches my heart in a very, very special way!
Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child | samaritanspurse.org
- Operation Christmas Child Volunteer
- Samaritan's Purse is a non-denominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan's Purse has helped meet the needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. I volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, and what we do is pack shoe-boxes with essential needs, a Christmas present, and the Gospel for boys and girls around the world. We then bring them to local churches or drop-off locations to have them shipped overseas. Millions of little lives are touched through this amazing and inspiring shoebox ministry! Each year that I participate, I am more and more filled with joy and love knowing I am helping children in a practical way with vital needs like clothing, shoes, toothbrush, soap, etc, and also eternally, with the Gospel. I love this ministry so much!
Awana | awana.org
- Former Sparks Youth Leader
- Awana is a faith driven, Chicago based organization that meets each week, with more than 2 million children and youth, 400,000 volunteers, and 127 field staff that gather together for Awana groups in over 27,000 churches in the U.S. and internationally. The founders of AWANA derived the name from 2Timothy 2:15 in the Bible - "Approved workmen are not ashamed". Awana helps churches and parents work together to develop spiritually strong children and youth who faithfully follow Jesus Christ. I was a leader in the Sparks group at my church for children ages K-2nd Grade for 2 years. I loved working with the other leaders and serving God and children to teach them and help them learn more about the Bible and Jesus - His life, love, and truth, and to help equip them with faith unto their salvation! It was truly a gift and blessing to be a part of this awesome ministry!
"You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving." - Amy Carmichael